USA > Ohio > Preble County > A Biographical history of Preble County, Ohio : compendium of national biography > Part 38
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Franklin N. Fudge, one of the children, was the father of our subject. Having ar- rived at years of maturity, he married Miss Susanna Markey, the wedding taking place on the 30th of September, 1849. She was born in Frederick county, Maryland, August 5, 1830, and when seven years of age was brought to Preble county. Franklin Fudge, however, was a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Lanier township.
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December 15, 1826. To him and his wife were born the following children: Ira, whose name introduces this review; Ada, born May 9, 1852, and is the wife of J. W. Kinsey, a farmer of Lanier township; Eliza Ann, who was born June 27, 1854, and be- came the wife of V. J. Drayer, whom she left with three children at her death on the 3d of June, 1893; Nancy, who is the wife of H. C. Butterbaugh, of Clay township, Mont- gomery county, by whom he had six chil- dren, four yet living; Samuel, a farmer of West Alexandria, who has had five children, four of whom survive; Laura Elizabeth, who married Daniel Ulrich, of Lanier township, by whom she has eight children ; Amos, who is living on the home farm; and Susanna, the wife of Lorin Brubaker, of Lanier town- ship, by whom she has two children. The father of these children died February 6, 1896, but the mother is still living and is yet active in body and mind.
Ira Fudge received fair educational privi- leges in the public schools and was reared to the work of the home farm, assisting his father in the cultivation of the fields until twenty-four years of age. He has always made farming his life work and is to-day the owner of a very valuable property, con- sisting of two hundred and twenty-eight acres of choice farming land and forty acres of timber land. In 1885 he erected a beau- tiful and commodious brick residence, and the other improvements upon the place are in keeping with his home. He built an ex- tensive barn, sixty-four by forty-nine feet, with eighteen-foot posts, and thus secured ample shelter for grain and stock. His resi- dence is octagonal and is surrounded by a beautiful lawn and shade trees. There are two fine fruit orchards and fertile fields under
a high state of cultivation. He spares no ef- fort or expense to make his home as good as any in this fertile section and has indeed an attractive and valuable property. He raises corn and wheat and also makes a specialty of the cultivation of tobacco, raising annually fifteen acres of that crop. He breeds polled Durham cattle and thoroughbred horses and sells considerable stock. He also raises and sells about forty Poland China hogs annually and much of his stock could be registered.
On the 3Ist of March, 1875, Mr. Fudge was married to Miss Ella K. Clark, of Montgomery county, Ohio, who was born October 26, 1853, a daughter of Jesse F. and Nancy ( Halderman) Clark. The father died in November, 1857, leaving a wife and one son and one daughter. The mother is still living, at the age of sixty-eight years, and has ever remained true to the memory of her husband, making her home with our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Fudge have been born four children: Edna S., who is the wife of M. M. Brubaker, of Winchester; Ada N., who is a student in the Winchester high school and is pursuing a musical edu- cation ; one daughter who died in infancy ; and Jesse L., a comely boy of thirteen years who is a diligent student in the public schools.
Mr. Fudge is a Democrat and has been a township trustee for three years. He has also been a member of the school board for twelve years and the cause of education has found in him a warm friend. He gives his support to every measure which he believes would prove of public benefit and his worth as a manand citizen is widely acknowledged. He belongs to one of the honored pioneer families of the county and is a representative farmer who in the active walks of business
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life has ever been honorable and upright, commanding the respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
AMOS FUDGE.
Amos Fudge is one of the young repre- sentatives of the agricultural interests of Preble county. He was born June 22, 1868, on the farm where he yet resides in Lanier township and is a representative of one of the early families of the county. When this section of the state was just being opened up to civilization Jacob and David Fudge came to the county and took an active part in laying the foundation for its present pros- perity and progress. Jacob Fudge, the grand- father of our subject, was the father of thir- teen children.
Franklin N. Fudge, the father of our subject, was born December 15, 1826, on the farm adjoining that upon which his son Amos now makes his home. He was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, was trained to habits of industry and economy and became a representative agriculturist of his community. He married Susanna Markey, whose parents were Amos and Jane (Eby) Markey. Mr. and Mrs. Fudge took up their abode upon a farm adjoining the old homestead and in 1854 he began clearing the land upon which Amos Fudge now re- sides, locating thereon in the spring of 1855.
For a more detailed account of the pa- rental history of subject the reader is re- fered to the sketch of his brother, Ira Fudge.
Amos Fudgo obtained his education in Winchester and has always lived upon the farm which is now his home. Under the direction of his father, who was an energetic and successful farmer, he became a practical
and enterprising agriculturist. The father built two large barns, one forty-four by seventy-six feet and the other forty-eight by fifty-two feet, and Mr. Fudge, of this re- view, has added other buildings to the place, including large tobacco sheds. In connec- tion with his brother he is extensively and successfully engaged in the cultivation of tobacco. His farm comprises two hun- dred and ninety-six acres, for he has added eighty-two acres to the old home property. He raises also considerable stock, including some pure-blooded Durhams and Southdown sheep. His farm is one of the finest in the entire community and a glance at the place indicates the owner to be a man of marked enterprise and thrift. Not only is he re- garded as one of the most capable repre- sentatives of agricultural interests but is also a well-known and reliable business man whose efforts have been extended to other interests. He is a charter member of the Winchester Telephone Association and one of its directors.
On the 30th of March, 1892, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Fudge and Miss Mary Meyer, of Lanier township, a daughter of J. H. and Ellen Meyer. Mr. and Mrs. Fudge have lost an infant daughter. They have three living daughters: Susie Cather- ine, Grace Anna and Doratha. The family is one of prominence in the community, the parents having the warm regard of many friends. Mr. Fudge is a Democrat in his political faith, yet is not strictly partisan. He has never sought office or desired politi- cal preferment, giving his time and attention largely to his business affairs, in which he has met with gratifying success. As a leading and influential citizen and a man of sterling worth, he well deserves representa- tion in this volume.
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MARGARET SMITH.
As a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the Buckeye state, and as being herself worthy of all distinction through her identification with the carly his- tory of Preble county, and with the annals of later development and marked prosperity, it is certainly incumbent that in this work there be accorded a .review of the life of the venerable lady whose name appears above.
On the old homestead where she resided up to the time of her death, Miss Smith was born, on the 16th of February, 1828, being the daughter of Jacob and Martha ( Evans) Smith, to whom six children were born, the subject of this sketch outliving all the others of the family. The father was a native of either Pennsylvania or Virginia and was born on the 23d of March, 1777, being the son of Samuel and Rachel Smith.
Jacob Smith grew up under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the farm, and in the course of time assumed individual re- sponsibilities and began the practical work of life. He was twice married, his first union having been with Miss Sarah Spencer, daughter of Nathan and Hannah Spencer, and the young couple began their wedded lifo in Loudoun county, Virginia, where they carried on farming operations. Of this marriage.there were born seven children, all of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Smith was summoned into eternal rest on the 25th of May, 1815, and subsequently Mr. Smith wedded Miss Martha Evans, the mother of the lady whose name introduces this article. They shortly afterward re- moved to Belmont county, Ohio, later taking up their abode in Wayne county, Indiana, whence they eventually came to Preble county and settled on the farm which is now
occupied by their daughter, in Jackson town- ship. Here the father of our subject effected the purchase of two hundred acres of land, which he reclaimed and placed under effec- tive cultivation, holding precedence as one of the influential men of the county and as one whose integrity in all the relations of life was beyond peradventure. From that carly pioneer epoch until the present day, repre- sentative of advanced methods and electri- cal progress, the old homestead has remained in the Smith family, and it is but consistent that she who owned and occupied it until the present year should be held in the highest esteem and affection in the community where her entire life was passed, a life filled with usefulness and kindly deeds.
Jacob Smith resided on the old home- stead until death released him from his la- bors, venerable in years and in the fullness of honors won as a man worthy of the con- fidence and high regard of his fellow men. In his political adherency Mr. Smith was an ardent supporter of the Republican party and its principles, being zealous in the ad- vocacy of the abolition of the institution of human slavery in our fair land, but he did not live to see this object accomplished or to witness the glorious victory of the Union arms, perpetuating the integrity of the na- tion. His death occurred on the last day of January, 1859, in the eighty-second year of his age.
Martha (Evans) Smith, the mother of the immediate subject of this review, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of February, 1784, the daughter of Rich- ard and Phobe Evans. Her father was a miller by trade and occupation, owning and operating a grist and saw mill in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, for many years, and there passing the closing years of his busy
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and useful life. The mother of our subject lived to attain the venerable age of eighty- six years, her death occurring on the 3d of August, 1870.
Margaret Smith, to whom this review is dedicated, was reared on the old homestead in Jackson township, acquiring her educa- tion in the common schools. After the death of the father the family was comprised of the widowed mother and our subject and her two brothers, Seth and Elisha, all of whom remained on the homestead. Seth passed away on the 25th of September, 1877, and on the 25th of October, 1881, Elisha also died, leaving a widow, Mary Ann, who is now the wife of William Ray.
Thus left as the only survivor of the family, Miss Smith continued until her demise to abide on the old farm, so endeared and hallowed by the associations of the past, and in the community her friends are in number as her acquaintances. She con- ducted the business of the farm with signal ability and discrimination. Miss Smith was a devoted member of the Hicksite church, in whose work and collateral charities she maintained a lively interest. She was de- serving of all honor as a worthy representa- tive of the pioneer stock which played so im- portant a part in the development of this fa- vored section of the Buckeye state. She passed away May 20, 1900.
JAMES McDILL.
James McDill is the owner of a valuable tract of bottom land along Four Mile creek, the farm being situated on section 33, Is- rael township. His entire life has been passed in Preble county and he is therefore widely known to its settlers. In conse- quence he needs no introduction to the read-
ers of this volume, for his career has been an honorable and upright one and has gained him the confidence and good will of a large circle of friends. His birth occurred on the 29th of December, 1819, on section 28, Is- rael township, one mile east of his present home. His father, Hugh McDill, was born in Appleby district, South Carolina, and the grandfather, David McDill, was a native of the Emerald Isle, whence he was brought to America by his parents when about nine years of age. His father was Thomas Mc- Dill, a man of considerable means, who took up his abode in South Carolina and there spent his remaining days. He died December 4, 1791, at the age of sixty- nine years, and was laid to rest in a ceme- tery of that state. His wife died in the same state, in 1827, in her eighty-seventh year. Their son, David McDill, was reared to man- hood in South Carolina and there married Isabel McQuiston. They became the parents of six children: Thomas; David; Peggy, the wife of James Faris; John, Hugh and Archibald. The father of these children was one of the heroes of the Revolution who fought the Tories in South Carolina. The family was originally of Scotch origin, but on account of the encroachment of the Catho- lics in Ireland emigrated to South Carolina. On account of slavery they left that state and removed to the north. The grandfather owned several quarter-sections of land in Chio, and the different members of the fam- ily had usually been well-to-do and substan- tial citizens.
Hugh McDill, the father of our subject, was born in South Carolina, December 9, 1794 and in 1806, when twelve years of age, came to the Buckeye state with a colony of McDills, McQuistons and Elliotts. These people organized an Associate Reformed
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church and the first meeting was held in David McDill's barn ; but a hewed-log church was soon erected. Hugh McDill was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life and married Drusilla Brown, the wedding taking place in March, 1819. They had eight chil- dren-four sons and four daughters-but three of the daughters died in early child- hood. Caroline, the remaining daughter, became the wife of Jacob Cooper and died soon afterward, leaving one daughter. Wil- liam, one of the sons of the family, died at the age of four years. The surviving chil- dren are: James ; David, who is one of the professors in the Theological Seminary at Xenia, Ohio; and John, a physician at Camp Grove, Illinois. The father of these chil- dren died in 1873, and his widow in 1879.
James McDill, their eldest child, obtained a liberal education and afterward engaged in teaching in the common schools, follow- ing that profession through the winter months. He was married October 3, 1844, to Miss Agnes T. Paxton, who was born in Israel township, in 1825, a daughter of Rob- ert and Mary ( McDill) Paxton. They were distant cousins. Mr. Paxton was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1799, and his wife was born in 1800. In 1818 they emigrated from the Old Dominion to Preble county, Ohio, locating on section 18, Israel township. The father served as justice of the peace from 1840 to 1846, inclusive, and was a prominent and influential citizen at an early day, exercising a strong influence on public affairs. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McDill have resided upon the farm which is now their home, with the exception of two years spent in College Corner. Here Mr. McDill owns one hundred and ninety- two acres of land, constituting a very valu- able property. He raises corn and wheat,
and has a large drove of hogs, but for some time past he has made the raising of cattle more a specialty. All that he has he has ac- quired through his own efforts, as the re- sult of his untiring industry and persever- ance. Each year he has added somewhat to his capital, save the year when the cholera carried off so many of his hogs. During the war he sold one thousand bushels of corn for a dollar per bushel. At one time he determined to leave the farm and erected a good residence in College Corner, but af- ter two vears his wife decided that she pre- ferred the old homestead, where so many happy years had been passed and which had become endeared to them through many as- sociations.
It was upon this farm that they reared their children. William, their eldest child, died in 1848, at the age of two years. John, born January 28, 1847, died September 24, 1893. Hugh, born May 3, 1849, is now at home, but was formerly in Colorado, where he occupied the position of state superin- tendent of the fisheries. He is a graduate of Monmouth College, of Monmouth, Illi- nois. Samuel Newton, born November 5, 1851, went from Clifton, Illinois, to Colum- bus, Nebraska, and there died on the 3d of January, 1890. Mary Jane is the wife of Clinton Douglas, of Chicago, and has two daughters and two sons and also lost two children.
Mr. McDill was in early life a Whig, casting his first presidential vote for the candidate of that party in 1844. On the or- ganization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has since been one of its stal- wart advocates. He has served as county commissioner for three years, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring that his time and attention shall be given to his business
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affairs, in which he has met with creditable and gratifying success. Untiring labor has been the secret of his prosperity and his life should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who are forced to start upon their business career without capi- tal or the aid of influential friends.
HON. WILLIAM J. GILMORE.
Hon. William James Gilmore was born in Liberty, Bedford county, Virginia, April 2, 1821. The family of which he was a representative is of Scotch-Irish lineage, and in early colonial days was established in Vir- ginia. His parents were Dr. Eli Gilmore and Clarissa Mosby (Clayton) Gilmore, na- tives of Virginia. His father was an able physician, and with his family settled in Israel township, Preble county, in 1825, at which time the subject of this review was but four years of age. After obtaining such rudimentary education as was at that early day afforded by the pioneer teachers in the log-cabin schoolhouse, he attended West- field and Hopewell Academies. Determin- ing to make the practice of law his life work, Mr. Gilmore began the study of law in the office of Thomas Milikin, a lawyer of Hamil- ton, Ohio. Later he was a student in the law office of Hawkins Brothers, of Eaton, and in 1847 was admitted to the bar. Af- ter his admission he formed a partnership with Colonel Thomas Moore, and com- menced the practice of his profession in Hamilton. A year later, this partnership being dissolved, he removed to Eaton and opened an office, and in 1849 formed a part- nership with J. S. Hawkins, which contin- ued until that gentleman's death in 1852. In that year he was elected prosecuting at- torney for Preble county, and was re-elected
to the same office in 1854. In the year 1857 Mr. Gilmore was appointed to fill an unex- pired term as judge of the court of com- mon pleas, and having served out the term resumed the practice of his profession, in partnership with Judge J. V. Campbell, with whom he remained associated until 1866, when Judge Gilmore was elected to the com- mon pleas bench, to which he was re-elected in 1871. In 1874 he was elected a judge of the supreme court of Ohio, serving for a term of six years. On the expiration of that period he established himself in Co- lumbus, where he resided until his death, which occurred August 9, 1896.
He was one of the strongest legal minds ever upon the supreme bench of the state, and his written opinions are still quoted among the best that have ever been pro- duced. A man of unimpeachable character, of unusual intellectual endowment, with a . thorough understanding of the law, patience, urbanity and industry, Judge Gilmore took to the bench the very highest qualifications for these most responsible offices of the state government, and his record as a judge was in harmony with his record as a man and law- yer, distinguished by unswerving integrity and a masterful grasp of every problem that was presented for solution. He was much interested in the Historical Society, and for a number of years, under different governors, served as a trustee of the Ohio Historical and Archæological Society. From 1871 until the time of his death he was a trustee of Miami University, and the cause of edu- cation found in him a warm friend whose strong influence made his labors very ef- fective in its behalf. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Ohio State Bar Association, and served as its president in 1886-7. He was remarkable among lawyers for his wide
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research and provident care with which he prepared his cases, and his marked ability in the line of his profession won him high honors, which were well merited. Of the Scotch-Irish Society of America he was a valued member, and was also an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the Knight Templar de- gree. In manner he was very genial and kindly, and always approachable. These qualities, together with his broad knowl- edge, made him a very companionable gen- tleman and one whose circle of friends was limited only by the circle of his extensive ac- quaintance. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and the fact that he was elected to office in a strongly Republican county speaks much for his popularity among his. fellow citizens.
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He was, moreover, a man of domestic tastes, finding his greatest enjoyment in the pleasures of his own fireside. He was a man of well rounded character, finely bal- anced mind and of splendid intellectual at- tainments, and, though he won honors in public life, he possessed those sterling traits of character which inspired strong personal friendships.
On the 7th of September, 1848, William James Gilmore and Miss Sarah Ann Ross- man were united in marriage. Their union was blessed by the birth of two sons, namely : Jackson H. and Clement R. Gilmore. Mrs. Gilmore's death occurred in 1885, the Judge surviving her eleven years.
JACKSON H. GILMORE.
Jackson H. Gilmore, the eldest son of Judge William J. Gilmore, was born in Eaton, Ohio, March 4, 1850, and was edu- cated at Miami University, studied law in
the University of Virginia, and graduated at the Cincinnati Law School. Upon the certificate of the latter institution he was admitted to the bar in the district court of Cincinnati in 1875, and commercial practice in that city, but owing to failing health he was soon compelled to give up the practice and go to Colorado, where he spent about two years, and then returned to his home in Eaton, very much improved in health. Later he was associated in the practice of law with his father in Columbus. His death oc- curred October 24, 1880.
CLEMENT R. GILMORE.
Clement R. Gilmore, the only survivor of Judge William J. Gilmore's family, was born in the city of Eaton, September 12, 1858. His elementary education having been acquired in the public schools, he after- ward pursued his literary course in the Wooster University, of Ohio. He entered upon his business career in the employment of the Panhandle Railroad Company, and later was in the state insurance department at Columbus. After his mother's death he became a student in his father's law office, was admitted to the bar in 1888, and then continued in practice with Judge Gilmore in: Columbus until the father's death. Our subject remained a member of the bar of the capital city until 1898, when, on account of his wife's failing health, he went to Cali- fornia. In the fall of the same year, how- ever, he returned to Ohio and entered into partnership relations with his uncle, Judge James A. Gilmore, at Eaton.
On the 29th of October, 1889, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Gilmore and Miss Ellen Gardner, a daughter of Mayor G. W. Gardner, of Cleveland, Ohio. Three chil-
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dren have been born to them: Jackson Gardner, William Stevens and Rosanne. Mr. Gilmore is a member of the Congregational church at Columbus, and belongs to one of the college societies. His many social quali- ties have made him popular both in profes- sional and private circles, and at the bar he has obtained an enviable position. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He has a remarkable power of concentration and application, and his retentive mind has often excited the sur- prise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in the dis- cussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest, and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterize his prepara- tion of a case and have made him one of the most successful attorneys in Preble county.
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